Sober New Year's Eve

5 Fantastic Ideas for a Sober New Year’s Eve Celebration!

It’s actually not hard to plan a sober New Year’s Eve celebration. While it’s common to believe that New Year’s Eve goes hand-in-hand with drinking, some people may drink alcohol on this holiday, but many people also choose to stay sober. They use this evening to catch up with friends, attend a New Year’s Eve event, or enjoy a getaway at a lake or cabin. 

If this is one of your first New Year’s Eve being sober, you may wonder what you can do to enjoy yourself. Below we share some of our favorite ideas for ringing in the New Year – and none of them are boring! 

  1. Host Your Own NYE Party 

Hosting a party requires a lot of time and energy. If you’re worried about getting through NYE, you can funnel this energy into planning an event of your own. Send invitations, plan what you’re going to serve, do grocery shopping and cooking, etc. Invite people from your 12-step group, as well as friends and family who don’t drink. You can start this new tradition and participate in all the hype of NYE.

  1. Attend an Alco-thon or Narco-thon 

If you don’t want the pressure or expense of hosting your own party, consider attending an Alco-thon or Narco-thon. These AA- or NA-hosted marathons are held on certain holidays, including New Year’s Eve. They last mostly all day, so that people in recovery have a safe place to go. Many times, a meal and other activities are included, so check with your local AA and NA groups for times and places. 

  1. Plan a Sober New Year’s Eve Destination Celebration 

Some people in recovery find that it’s easier to get away from the temptation of the holidays. Would you prefer to be lounging in a swimming pool somewhere warm? Or perhaps a weekend camping in the mountains is more your taste. Leaving your regular environment can make it easier to stay sober, and by the time you return, all the hype of NYE will be over. 

  1. Host a Sober New Year’s Eve Game Night 

The cool thing about hosting a game night is that you can make it as laid-back, silly or competitive as you want. For instance, Blank Slate is a fun party game where you try to predict what other people think. Awkward Moment is silly and embarrassing, and Cards Against Humanity is offensive and risque. There are games for every personality and group of friends! 

  1. Throw a Mocktail Party 

Sometimes, just the idea of having different drinks to try is what makes cocktails so appealing. By throwing a mocktail party, you can serve many fun drinks. Find recipes online or ask your guests to bring their favorite. The best part about making your own mocktails is that you know exactly what’s going on in them. Cut back on sugar and add fresh fruit for healthier alternatives. 

If you are still feeling left out of New Year’s Eve festivities, remember how far you’ve come in your recovery! You have so much to look forward to in the new year, and it’s all because you made the choice to get sober. So, throw yourself a party, a sober New Year’s Eve, with all the goods – games, music, mocktails, and friends and family. You deserve it!